One-sided thin wall separable fastener stringer



Dc. 24, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,114,952

ONE-SIDED THIN WALL SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGER Filed April '21. 1961 rg? 34 ou/5 H MUR/N United States Patent O M' 3,114,952 (INE-SIDED THIN WALL SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGER Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N.Y. (12S Beechwood Ave., New Rochelle, N.Y.) Filed Apr. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 104,736 7 Claims. (Cl. 24--205.1)

This invention deals with separable fastener stringers, wherein the scoops are of thin wall construction and fixed to one beaded surface of a Stringer tape and so arranged that, when the scoops of a pair of stringers are coupled together, the tape edges will abut, thereby cornpletely hiding or concealing the scoops when viewing the coupled stringers from one surface thereof.

More particularly, the invention deals in a scoop structure of the character defined, wherein the coupling end portion of each scoop includes at its outer end a projecting portion overlying at least the major part of the bead on the tape of the companion Stringer.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a separable fastener of the character described, wherein the plain or non-scoop surface of the stringers of the separable fastener have, at adjacent edge portions thereof, beads or enlargements resisting forcible mismeshing in folding the coupled stringers in a manner moving said surfaces of the Stringer tapes toward each other.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view diagrammatically illustrating the engagement of one scoop of one Stringer with a pair of scoops of a companion stringer.

FIG. 2 is a section partially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, with part of the construction being shown in elevation and omitting the background showing of the scoop of the companion Stringer.

FIG. 3 is a view, generally similar to FIG. 2, diagrammatically illustrating, in part, the slider for coupling stringers generally of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG, 3 omitting part of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a View, similar to FIG. l, showing a modified form of scoop construction.

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a section through the stringer tape on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, showing the front coupling end portion of a scoop in elevation and omitting adjacent scoops coupled with the scoop shown in elevation.

In the two scoop structures shown by way of illustrating adaptations of my invention, as each Stringer is of the same construction, the brief description of one stringer will apply to both and reference characters of the second Stringer will simply be primed.

In FIGS. l to 3, inclusive, the Stringer tapes are indicated at 10, 10', these tapes in the present illustration having on the scoop supporting surfaces 9, 9' two beads 11, 11'; 12, 12', the beads 11, 11 being set inwardly with respect to the edges 13, 13', as clearly noted in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the edges 13, 13' abutting when the scoops of the two stringers are coupled together. On the other plain surfaces 14, 14' of the stringers adjacent the outer edges 13, 13' are other projecting or beaded portions 15, 15', note FIG. 2, which also abut when the stringers are coupled together. All of the beads noted above can be woven with the tape or fixed thereto in any desired manner.

Scoops 16, 16' are suitably fixed to the exposed surfaces of the tapes 10, 10' and the beads 11, 12; 11', 12' thereon and by way of illustrating one adaptation of my inven- 3,114,952 Patented Dec. 24, 1963 tion, the scoops 16, 16' can be die cast or molded members and, in forming the same upon the tapes and the beads thereof, the material of the scoops extends into the interstices of the braid of the tape and beads in establishing positive anchorage of the scoops thereon.

17, 17 represent the reasonably long thin mounting end portions of the scoops, These mounting end portions, at their inner ends, have angular surface heels 13, 18' spaced from the surface of the tape, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The purpose of the heels 13, 18' is to facilitate engagement of hook-shaped flange sides 19 of a slider 20, diagrammatically illustrated in partial section in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the further structure of the slider being later described. The scoops have substantially diamond-shaped coupling heads 21, 21 which project beyond the tape edges and these heads have what might be termed projecting nose portions 22, 22' which are adapted to overlie and engage the beads adjacent the tape edges in establishing a coupling engagement between the stringers which will prevent mismeshing and further resist separation of the coupled stringers. It will be noted, from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing, that the lower surface of the projection 22 is rounded, as seen at 23 in FIG. 2 of the drawing, and, of course, the same structure applies to the companion scoops, this surface 0f the companion scoops not being illustrated. This rounded surface permits the projecting nose to ride freely over the bead of the companion Stringer, for example, over the bead 11', as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

It will also appear, from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing, that the lower surface of the diamond coupling head 21 is rounded, as seen at 24 in FIG. 2 to pass freely over the free edge portion of the tape 10'. The rounded surfaces 23 and 24 are further joined by a rounded surface 25 which ts snugly upon the bead 11'. It will be noted, from a consideration of FIG. l of the drawing, that the scoops, where the mounting end portions 17, 17' joins the diamond coupling heads 21, 21', have side bevelled corner portions 26, 26 which provide the necessary clearance for free bending iiexure of the coupled stringers in the use of the fastener. In this figure, it will also appear that the female coupling portions 23, 28' of the scoops are adapted to receive the projections of the coupling heads 21, 21' of companion stringers and, while normally there is slight clearance between the surfaces of the coupled scoops, no attempt is made to illustrate this clearance in FIG. l of the drawing and this would also apply to the showing in FIG. 4, later described. The present illustration has been employed to clearly illustrate conformity of the scoops, one with the other.

The use of the added beads 15, 15' is not absolutely necessary in many uses of the fastener and, accordingly, the bead 15 has been omitted from the showing in FIG. 3 and, in this figure, it will be apparent that the slider 20 includes a wall portion 29 overlying the surface 14 of the Stringer tape 10. It will be further noted that the normal web portion 30 of the slider is recessed, as seen at 31, for recep-tion of the projecting bead engaging nose portion 22 in movement of the slider along the stringers to couple the stringers in manners well known in the art. It will also be apparent that the base of the web 30 is rounded, as indicated at 312, to conform with the contour of th erounded surfaces 24 and 25 of the scoop.

In the sections FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the compression of the beads 11 and 12 in die casting scoops on ythe beads is diagrammatically illustrated. However, intermediate the adjacent scoops, the beads would substantially assume the position indicated in dotted lines in said figures.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing, I have shown a modified form of scoop structure and, in FIG. 4, 33, 33 represent the Stringer tapes; 34, 35; 34', 3S represent the beads generally similar to the beads 11 and 12. The Scoops 36, 36 differ from the scoops 17, 17 in having rounded inner portions 37, 37 on the mounting end portions of the scoops and the coupling heads 38, 38 differ from the heads 21, 21 Slightly in general contour and substantially in having bevelled central lower bead engaging surfaces 39, note FIGS. 5 and 6, it being understood that Scoops of companion stringers are correspondingly formed. These bevelled surfaces 39 provide free movement of the scoops over the tape of a companion Stringer, for example, the tape 33 in FIG. 5 and upon extending over the major portion f the bead 34' of the tape 33', as clearly illustrated in FIG. 5. Here again, it will be understood that the coupling end portions include a projection or extension 40, 40' which, as stated, overlies the major diameter of the bead of the companion Stringer, the extension 40 of the scoop of the companion Stringer being indicated in dotted lines in FIG. as arranged over the bead 34.

Another slight modification in the structure shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 resides in the fact that, in forming the cast scoops on the tapes 33, 33', the die iS so fashioned as to allow tapes to expand in rounded portions, as at 41, 41, on the exposed surface of the tape. It is also preferred, although not absolutely essential, that each of the tapes 33, 33 include the supplemental beads 42, 42', generally similar to the beads 15,

With both forms of construction shown, it will be apparent that the coupling heads proper of the scoops are disposed in spaced relation to the surface of the tapes to which the scoops are attached or, in other words, extend continuously in alinement with the upper exposed surface of the scoops. This will be clearly apparent from a con- Sideration of the illustration of the coupling head of the scoop in FIG. 2 of the drawing, in which figure the side elevation of the coupling head is diagrammatically illustrated.

Considering FIG. 3 of the drawing, it will be apparent from the illustration of part of the Slider in said figure and its engagement with a scoop that the scoops are conned between the outer wall of the slider and the walls defined by the rounded surfaces 24 and 25. This serves to insure proper meshing of said scoops. In this meshing engagement of the scoops, it will also appear, from a consideration of FIG. 3 of the drawing, that the flange 29` is in spaced relation to the surface of the tape 10. Thus, the slider is kept out of wearing engagement with the Stringer tape and, in this connection, it iS also to be kept in mind that the lower surface of the fiange slides 19 of the slider are spaced from the upper surface of the Stringer tape 10, as :also indicated in FIG. 3.

Another feature of the present construction resides in the fact that the beads of the tape swell out or extend between the side surfaces of adjacent scoops and this is diagrammatically illustrated by the dotted line showing of the beads in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the full line Showing at the right of FIG. 2. This construction aids materially in retention of the scoops in proper position and anchorage on the Stringer tape.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A separable fastener Stringer comprising a mounting tape having bead means extending longitudinally of a scoop support surface thereof, a plurality of Scoops spaced longitudinally of and fixed to said scoop support surface of the tape, including said bead means, each of said scoops comprising a mounting end portion and a substantially diamond-shaped coupling end portion protruding beyond the edge of the tape to which the scoops are attached, the coupling end portion having at its outer end projecting means adapted to overlie the major portion of at least part of the bead means of the tape of a companion Stringer when a pair of stringers are coupled together in forming a separable fastener, and the inner end of the mounting end portion of each scoop having a projecting heel spaced with respect to the first named surface of the tape.

2. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 1, wherein Said projecting means includes a relieved lower surface for free passage of the projecting means onto said bead means.

3. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 2, wherein said relieved lower surface comprises a rounded portion, and the coupling end portion of the scoop being further relieved for free passage over the edge portion of the tape of a companion Stringer in coupling a pair of Stringers.

4. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 1, wherein the opposed surface of the tape at the free edge portion of the tape includes a projection adapted to engage a similar projection on the tape of a companion Stringer when stringers are coupled together.

5. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, wherein the projection means on each scoop comprises a reduced nose extension having a rounded lower surface.

6. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 5, wherein the scoop adjacent and below said nose includes interconnected reversely curved surfaces.

7. A separable fastener Stringer as defined in claim 4, wherein the projecting means on each scoop, including part of the coupling end portion, has a downwardly inclined bevelled surface for free passage of the coupling end portion and said projecting means onto the tape and bead means of the tape of a companion Stringer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,074,624 Schweinburg Mar. 23, 1937 2,077,350 Sundback Apr. 13, 1937 2,087,456 Sundback July 20, 1937 2,283,018 Seltzer May 12, 1942 2,283,590 Sundback May 19, 1942 2,325,332 Marinsky July 27, 1943 2,525,284 Camp Oct. 10, 1950 2,798,274 Morin July 9, 1957 2,991,527 McNamara July 1l, 1961 2,993,252 De Held July 25, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 489,657 Great Britain Aug. 2, 1938 

1. A SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGER COMPRISING A MOUNTING TAPE HAVING BEAD MEANS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF A SCOOP SUPPORT SURFACE THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF SCOOPS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF AND FIXED TO SAID SCOOP SUPPORT SURFACE OF THE TAPE, INCLUDING SAID BEAD MEANS, EACH OF SAID SCOOPS COMPRISING A MOUNTING END PORTION AND A SUBSTANTIALLY DIAMOND-SHAPED COUPLING END PORTION PROTRUDING BEYOND THE EDGE OF THE TAPE TO WHICH THE SCOOPS ARE ATTACHED, THE COUPLING END PORTION HAVING AT ITS OUTER END PROJECTING MEANS ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE MAJOR PORTION OF AT LEAST PART OF THE BEAD MEANS OF THE TAPE OF A COMPANION STRINGER WHEN A PAIR OF STRINGERS ARE COUPLED TOGETHER IN FORMING A SEPARABLE FASTENER, AND THE INNER END OF THE MOUNTING END PORTION OF EACH SCOOP HAVING A PROJECTING HEEL SPACED WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST NAMED SURFACE OF THE TAPE. 